Egg testing and grading machine



Vl R N E H C M l.

EGG TESTING AND GRADING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 28, 1934 Nov. 12, 1935. J, McHr-:NRY

EGG TESTING AND GRADING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 12, 1935. J. MCHENRY EGG TESTING AND -GRADING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 28, 1954 I bl.

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INVENTOR Nov. 12, 1935. yJ. Mol-IENRY 2,020,511

EGG TESTING AND GRADING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l l l l l l l l l i I Nov. 12, 1935.

J. MCHENRY EGG VTESTING AND GRADING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1954 5 Sheets -Sheet 5 www? line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Patented Nov. 12, 1935 PATENT OFFICE 2,020,511 EGG TESTING AND GRADmG MACHINE James McHenry, Detroit', Mich., assignor oi onehal! to The Eastern Market Cold Storage Comi pany, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan -Application June 28, 1934. Serial No. 732,803

- -1 claims. (ci. zoe-121) I 'I'his inventionrelatesito machines for testing and grading eggs and particularly to that type of vmachine wherein the eggs are moved over a source of light by means of an endless conveyor and graded' as to size by determination of weight. The principal object of the invention is the provision of an improved egg candling and grading machine which is designed to overcome many of the operating objections inherentin present known devices' of this kind.

Another object of th/e invention is the provision of a device which is capable of simultaneously handling a plurality of eggs with increased emciency and a minimum of loss due to breakage and checking'.

The foregoing objects and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the drawings forming partv of the disclosure, in which drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation `oithe machine shown in Fig. l.

Fig. .3 is an enlarged verticalsectlonjtaken on embodying Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the'loadingmechanism of my device.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along linev 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is anenlarged fragmentary plan view showing the rotating and reciprocating mechanism of the egg candling sub-unit of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1. l'

Fig. -7 is a vertical sectional view taken along line I- of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the arrangement of the weighing and-egg release mechanism of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along line IIl--Ill of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along line II-II oi' Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is an enlarged 'section taken on line I2-I'2 0f Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken on line Is-la or Fig. 11.

Referring now, with more particularity, to the gitudinal brace members I9 which are preferably 'secured to the aforementioned uprightside members by rivets or other suitable means. Upon one of the side members I8 is mounted a self contained motor and reduction gear 20, to which is 5 connected a line shaft 2I which extends longitudinally along one side of the machine proper and supplies the motive power to the various elements hereinafter described. The pairs of up- -right side members- Iland I6 are further con` 10 nected to each other by means of longitudinally ,I extendingchannel irons 22 and 23 which com-l pletes the frame for the loading mechanism which is designed to remove 4the eggs from cartons 24, (Fig. 4), and feed them to the candling l5 and weighing units hereinafter described. It is the commercial practice to pack six eggs in a row each way in a carton which explains the reason for my -device having six longitudinal runways and six curvatures on each conveyor.

Egg cartons normally have deep nests in which the eggs are carried and the nests restvupon a.

`heavy base member 25 which can not( easily be removed from under a carton, therefore a complete turnover has to be effected in orderv to 25 quickly remove the eggs from the cartons and place them on the conveying belt 36, `as is illustrated in Fig. 4. This is accomplished in the fol. lowing manner: On top of the horizontal channel members 22 and 23, are mounted brackets 26 and 30 t 21, which provide the bearings for a drive shaft 2B upon which is fixedly placed a. suitable roller' 29. Near the top of the upright side members I5 bearings and 3| are provided to receive the shaft .3 2 upon which is also lflxedly mounted a 35 pulley 33 which is of sufficient diameter to allow an egg carton to travel along its outside periph-l ery without bending the carton. Surrounding the pulley 33 is a curved guard member 34, having inturned edges, which forms an inverted U- shaped channel through which the cartons pass. The guard 34 is held in place by brackets 35 which are secured to members' I5. A conveyor belt 36 extends tightly over the roller, 29 and pulley 33 and travels in the direction indicated by an arrow. The outside periphery of said belt is divided into equal spaces by strips of rubber 3l, which are securely fastened thereto, by any suitable means, leaving suiilcient space between the strips to receive abarton of eggs, as illusltrated in Fig. 4. The strips 31 provide a positive guard 34, at point 36, with the base 25 resting on 55 veyor belt 39, (Fig. 4) which travels at the same relative speed as the conveyor belt.36. Belt 39 is driven by a roller 40, which is xed to a drive shaft 4I, which has its bearings in the upper end of members I6. The shaft 4I communicates with the drive shaft 2|, through suitable gears contained in gear box 42, from which it receives its motive power. To the opposite end of shaft 4I is keyed a gear 43 which meshes with a combination gear and pulley 44, which in turn rotates upon an idler stud 45, which is securely fastened to member I6. A second pulley 46 is disposed in line with pulley 44, which is keyed to the end of the shaft 28. A drive belt 41 travels over the last named pulleys and supplies the operating power for the egg feeding unit. An idling roller 48, fastened to the shaft 49 which is journaled in members 22 and 23, is suitably located so as to produce a break in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt 39, and assures a parallel passage, as indicated at 50, between the upper and lower conveyor belts 36 and 39. Roller 5I moves freeely upon shaft 52, which extends between the upright frame members I5 and aids to support the conveyor belt 39. All of the aforementioned members so arranged will co`operate to transport the complete carton of eggs to the horizontal table-like portion 53 of the conveyor belt 39, where the carton 24 and the base 25 may easily be removed, leaving the eggs free to travel under the dividing bridge 54 toward the candling unit. The member 54 consists of a strip of sheet metal which is formed with off-sets at each end to elevate' it from the portion 53 of the conveyor 39 and is securely riveted to the frame members 22 and 23 respectively. Secured to the underside of bridge 54 is a plurality of wedge-shaped rubber partitions- 55, adapted to direct the individual eggs into the proper channels for candling and inspection.

In order to retard the momentum of the falling eggs, when passing from the portion 53, of the conveyor belt 39, at point 56, a shock-absorbing rubber band 51 is stretched between the members I6 and I6 (Fig. l).

e elements constituting the sub-unit intended for candling the eggs are supported by the upright side members I6 and I1 and the channel members 58 and 59, and the side rails 60 and 6|, which are secured to one another by welding or other suitable means.

The egg conveying system of the candling unit, co sists of a continuous link-belt arrangement 63, aving a plurality of rollers 62 fastened thereto, by means of protruding lugs 64 as illustrated in Fig. 3. The rollers 62 are preferably made of soft rubber cast around a steel shaft 65. Each of the rubber rollers 62 is provided with six concave surfaces 66, which produce between themselves, cradle like openings 61 in which the eggs are supported and held apart so as to expose a considerable portion of the eggs to a light source. Disposed at one end of each roller 62 is a pinion 68 which is press-tted onto the rod 65.

Each pinion is adapted to mesh during part of its longitudinal travel, with a rack 69 which is slidably supported by the side rail 58. As the pinions mesh with the rack 69 a positive rotation is imparted to the rollers 62 and to the eggs 10, which are supported by such rollers, and when the rack 69 is moved longitudinally, as will be explained hereinafter, a positive reverse rotation is imparted to the rollers 62 and to the eggs lll.

The action just described makes possible a top and thus will pass on to a secondary conthorough inspection of the eggs and obviates the diiliculty, often encountered in machines of thischaracter, of having the eggs caught and broken or checked between a rotating roller and one which fails to rotate because of one, reason or 5 another.

The complete link-belt conveyor 63 recel es its motive power through a Worm gear reduction drive, encased in gear-box 1|, which is coupled to the main drive shaft 2| and to the drive shaft 10 12 which is journaled in the upright side members I1 and upon which are flxedly mounted suitable driving sprockets 13 adapted to engage the link-belt members 63 causing them to move in the direction indicated by an arrow, (Fig. 2). 15

Upon the free end of the shaft 12 is keyed an eccentric plate 14 to which is secured a stud 15 adapted to impart a. reciprocating motion to the push and pull plate 16, through a conventional connecting rod 11. The plate 16 in turn is se- 20 cured to the rack 69 by means of screws 18 (Fig. 3). A guide block 80 is secured to the underside of the side rail 58 by means of screws 8|, said guide block being formed with a longitudinal slot 82 adapted to engage the rack 68 25 and guide said rack. The guide block 80 is provided with a transverse slot 83 adapted to' engage the push and pull plate 16. The rotation of the eggs 10 begins immediately upon the engagement of pinions 68 with rack 69 and ceases after 30 their disengagement.

Positioned below the upper course of rollers 62 of the link-belt conveyor 63, is a light source 84, consisting preferably of one or more tubular bulbs supported longitudinally in a reflector 85, 85 which is secured at one side to the member 59 and at the other side to the guide block 80, in such manner that the light rays are directed through the openings 61.

After the rollers 62, constituting the conveyor 40 63, have passed over the light source 84 and the reciprocating rack 69, the rollers 62 cease to rotate and the conveyor passes the eggs on to the succeeding sub-unit.

In order to help support the conveyor 63 and 45 maintain its alignment, a series of idling shafts and sprockets are provided as indicated at 86, the latter having their bearings in the upright side members' I6 and I1 respectively. In order to further support the weight of the conveyor 63 and 50 eliminate considerable friction of the moving parts, a steel roller 81 is rotatably mounted on each end of each respective shaft 65, and held in place by the threaded ends 88 of shaft 65 and nut 89. The rollers 81 are adapted to engage the 55 rails 90 which are placed along the inside of channel members 58 and 59 respectively. The returning or slack portion of the conveyor 63 is supported by the horizontal flanges 9| of the angleiron frame members 60 and 6|. 60 After the eggs are candled and inspected they are transported to the weighing and grading subunit of the machine which is supported by `side members I1 and I8 to which are secured by welding or other suitable means the horizontally dis- 65 posed channel members 92 and 93, cross-bar 94 and the brace I9.

In this section of the device an endless linkbelt arrangement also forms the conveying means for transporting the eggs over the various weighing stations. Its motive power is taken from the reduction gear unit 95 which is connected to the motor 20 and imparted through the drive shaft 96, which is journaled in the upright frame mem- 75 screws |03 (Figs. 1, 2 and 8).

' eggs.

bers I8. Attached to the ends of said shaft'96 `are sprockets 91 and 98, which are adapted to mesh with the Y endless link-belts 99 and |00 and drive them in the direction indicated yby an arrow.

Equally spaced along the outside periphery of the aforementioned link-belts 99 and |00 is a plurality of push bars I|, which are fastened to sidewardly protruding lugs |02, by` means of In Fig. 8 it will be seen that the bars |0| have six concave surfaces |04,.each adapted to conform to the shape of an egg. To the leading edges of the bars |0I, push plates |`are attached by means of small rivets |06. The push plates |05, when viewed in elevation (Figs. 12 and 13), have downwardly extending curved portions |08, and upwardly extending curved portions |09, which curvatures conform, in size and vcontour to the curvatures ||0, comprising six channels longitudinally disposed along the roll table |01, and conform to the curvatures 66 on the rollers 62 attached to the link-belt 63 heretofore described.

The conveyors of the candling unit and the weighing unit are so synchronized that one of the push plates |04, of the conveyors 99 and |00, is always moving upwardly in `horizontal position as the eggs are ready to drop `from the rollers 62 of the conveyor 63. This effects a quick but safe transfer of the eggs without breakage or checking, and eliminates the necessity of an intermediate stationary member to assist in the transfer. g

The table |01 is interposed between channels 92 and 93 and has downwardly extending anges I adapted to be secured to the extension members I2 of channels 92 and 93 by means of screws ||3. VA plurality of apertures ||4 arranged in staggered relation, are formed in the aforementioned table |01, directly in line with the channels ||0. 'I'he apertures'l I4 are of su'lcient size to receive the weighing table ||5 and traps |49. Six weighing tables and six traps are necessary' for each size or grade of egg, inasmuch as there are six channels along which the eggs are moved. An unlimited number of grades can be determinedl Fig. 8, however, shows the equipment required for one size or grade of eggs.

vertically positioned beneath the weighing tables ||5, is the mechanism .for weighing the This mechanism is supported by a triangular bracket IIG, which is secured to the underside of the table |01 by means of screws ||1. A square tube ||8 is fastened to the bracket IIS, by means of screws I I 9, and is adapted to receive a square floating stem to which is screwed the weighing table I|5 (Figs. 9, 1l and l2) Near the upper and lower ends of stem |20, semi-circular holes |2| are provided to receive anti-friction rollers I 22, whose peripheries |23 roll against the inner side walls '|24, of the tube ||8, while their crowned ends |25 ride against the inner side walls |26 of the tube ||8, thus securing the stem |20 against horizontal displacement while otherwise allowing it to float vertically with the least amount of friction. A rectangular hole |21 (Fig. 1l), is formed transversely through the stem |20 and is adapted to receive twin scale beams |28 which also extend through oppositely disposed apertures |29, formed in the tube ||8. The inner ends of the beams |28 are provided with upturned knife edges |30 which normally contact the stem |20. A fulcrum is provided for each beam |28 by beveling the lower edges of the apertures |29 as indicated by I3|. Adjustable counter-weights |32 keep the scale mechanism in balance.

Immediately underneath and in the same vertical plane with the beams |28, a square bre block |33 vis passed through the stem |20, and 5 through slots |34 provided therefore in tube ||8. This block is held in position by a cross-pin |35. Longitudinally extending through the center of the block |33 is a contact member |36 having its ends |31 bent downwardly and projecting into 10 mercury cups |38. The cups |38 have reduced and threaded ends 39 which pass through fiber brackets |40 and are locked in place by nuts |4I.

vThe brackets |40 are attached to the tube ||8 by means of screws |42. Lead wires |43 and |44 15 are fastened to the ends of the terminals |39 and extend through a hole |45 in the member |41 to the solenoid |46 and to a source of electrical current, not shown. Each solenoid |46 is mounted upon a shelf-like portion |41 constitut- 20 ing part of channel member 93 and is secured thereto by means of screws I 48. The solenoids are used for the purpose of opening the slidably arranged traps |49 in order to release such eggs as may be heavy enough to force down the weigh- 25 ing tables ||5, actuate the scale beams |28 and cause contact to be made between the members |31 and the mercury cups |38. The traps |49 are fitted snugly against the curved underside of the roll table 01 and are retainedby guide 30 strips |50 which may be riveted to the unbent portion |5| of the roll table |01 (Fig. l0). The solenoid |46 has a floating core |52 to which is secured by suitable means, rack |53 which is adapted to mesh with a pinion |55 fastened to 35 the end of shaft |54, to which is also keyed a second pinion |56 which is adapted to mesh with a short rack- |51 which is secured to the underside of the slidable trap |49. The traps |49 are normally held closed by torsional springs |58 40 which are secured at one end to the hub of the Apinion |55, and at the other to the bearing brackorder to give an egg sufficient time to fall olf the scale and through the trap |49 it is necessary to retard the opening land closing action. This is vaccomplished by controlling the movement of the floating core I 52 of the solenoid |46. 5()` To do that I provide a pneumatic check cylinder |62, which is formed as an integral part of the solenoid |46. The pneumatic check cylinder has a bore |63 into which is fitted a brass piston |64 which slidably extends through the station- 55 ary iron core |65 and is screwed into the floating or movable core |52., Vent holes |66 are drilled into the cylinder |62 and adjusting screws |61 are placed therein in order to control the speed of the piston movement. y

In order to ease the fall of the eggs coming off the weighing tables I5 and through the traps 49, I provide a secondary swingable trap |68, which is loosely secured to the shaft |54, onto which the egg drops and is let down gently be- 65 cause of the counter-weight |69 (Fig. 9). To prevent the eggs from falling backward or against the weighing mechanism, I provide a rectangular shield |10 which is fastened to the tube ||8 by means of screws |1I. 70

Eggs which are too light to register on any of the scales ||5 are considered off-runs and fall through apertures |12. A11 eggs graded or ungraded will fall eventually through some aperture and onto a transversely running conveyor belt |13 which transports the eggs from under the conveyor onto a packing table, not shown. This transport belt |13 is preferably made of soft rubber and is provided with grooves |14 in order to keep the different grades of eggs separated. The transport belt |13 receives its motive power from a shaft |15, upon which is keyed at one end a bevel gear |16, which meshes with a similar gear |11 secured to the shaft |18, which forms an integral part of the roller |19 over which the belt passes. The shaft |18 is journaled in brackets |80 and IBI secured to the upright frame members I1 and Il respectively. A second roller (not shown) is freely mounted to the free members |1 and I8 at the opposite side of the machine and is adapted to help support the conveyor belt |13.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, a plurality of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels, a weighing element disposed beneath each aperture, a slidable trap arranged to cover part of each aperture, means associated with said weighing means for actuating said traps, a plurality of shafts, at leastone of which is a drive shaft, journaled in said frame, sprockets on said shafts, endless link belts arranged to engage said sprockets and travel longitudinally around said table, push-bars secured to said link belts, said push-bars being arranged to travel longitudinally over the channels formed in said table, an endless discharge conveyor arranged for transverse movement beneath said table and means for simultaneously driving said link belts and said discharge conveyor.

nism'consisting of a vertically disposed tube secured to said table, a vertically reciprocating stem in said tube and scale beams disposed at right angles to said reciprocating stem and arranged to normally maintain said stem in ele-' vated position, electric conductive elements on each stem arranged to contact electric conductive elements oneach tube as the stem descends inthe tube, a solenoid electrically connected to each of said last named conductive elements and to a source of electric current and means .associated with each said solenoid to actuate each said slidable trap.

3. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of longitudinally extending` channels, a plurality of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels,`

a slidable trap arranged to close a portion of each aperture, a weighing mechanism disposed beneath each aperture, each weighing mechanism consisting of a vertically disposed tube se cured to said table, a vertically reciprocating stem in said tube, anti-friction members on said stem, a concave member secured to the enclv of said stem and scale beams disposed at right angles to said reciprocating stem and arranged to normally maintain said stem in elevated posilast named conductive elements and to a source 5 of electric current and means associated with each solenoid to actuate each slidable trap.

4. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, a plurality `of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels, a slidable trap arranged to close a portion of each aperture, a weighing mechanism disposed beneath each aperture, each weighing mechanism consisting of a vertically disposed tube secured to said table, a vertically reciproeating stem in said tube, scale beams disposed at right angles to said reciprocating stem, each of said scale beams having a sharp upturned end 20 adapted to contact said stem, said'scale beams 'having their fulcrums on the sides of said tube tive elements on each stem arranged to contact l electric conductive elements on each tube as the stem descends in the tube, a solenoid electrically connected to each of the last named conductive elements and to a source of electric current and means associated with each solenoid to actuate each slidable trap.

5. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, a plurality of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels, a slidable trap arranged to close a portion of each aperture, a weighing mechanism disposed beneath each aperture, means on each lweighing mechanism for closing an electric circuit, a vsolenoid electrically connected to said circuit closing means and to a source of electric current and means associated with each solenoid to actuate each slidable trap, said means comprising a rack secured to a movable core positioned within said solenoid, a pinion in mesh with said rack, a shaft for supporting said' pinion, a second pinion keyed to said shaft, said second pinion being adapted to engage a short rack secured to said slidable trap.

6. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels, a plurality `of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels, a slidable trapA arranged to close a portion of each aperture, a weighing mechanism disposed beneath each aperture, means on each weighing mechanism for closing an electric circuit, a solenoid electrically connected to said circuit closing means and to a source of electric current, a movable core in said solenoid, a reciprocating piston secured to said movable core, a cylinder arranged vto receive said piston, air vents in said cylinder, means associated with each solenoid for actuating each slidable trap, said means comprising a rack secured to said movable core, a pinion in mesh with said rack, a shaft for supporting said pinion, a second pinion secured to said shaft and arranged to mesh with a short rack secured to the under side of said slidable trap.

'7. In a device of the character described the combination of a frame, a table supported by said frame, said table having a plurality of 1on- 75 gitudinally extending channels, a plurality of apertures arranged in staggered relation in said channels, a Weighing element disposed beneath each aperture, a slidable trap arranged to cover part of each aperture, means associated with said Weighing means for actuating said traps, a plurality of shafts at least one of which is a drive shaft journaled in said frame, sprockets on said shafts, endless link belts arranged to engage said sprockets and travel longitudinally around said table, push-bars secured to said link belts, said push-bars being arranged to travel longitudinally over said channels and perpendicularly adjacent the ends of said table, plates secured to the leading edge of said push-bars, said plates having concave faces and convex upper and lower edges, said plates being adapted to serve as vlifts as said push-bars travel upwardly adjacent one end of said table and means for driving said link belts. 'f

JAMES McHENRY. 10 

